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The Story of the Original Mother's Day

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Hey kids! Did you know that the second Sunday in May is Mother's Day?
It's a fun day and a fun way to say thanks to your mom, or any other lady who helps you out in life!

A long, long time ago, in the year 1905, a woman named Anna Jarvis was thinking of a way to create an event in memory of her mother. Then Anna got an idea: Mothers all over the world should have a special day, just for them!

Anna Jarvis was born in West Virginia. After her mother passed away. Anna wrote a letter asking that there be a Mother's Day memorial at Andrews Church in Grafton West Virginia. On May 12th, 1907 exactly two years after the death of her mom, Andrew's Church had the Mother's Day memorial.

The next year on May 10th,1908 the first official Mother's Day in America was celebrated, in the two States of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Anna gave her mother's favorite flower, pretty white carnations, to all the mothers who attended church that morning. It became the thing to do, and white carnations are still worn in honor of mothers on Mother's Day.

Mother's Day became an official American holiday in 1914. President Woodrow Wilson announced: In the United States of America the second Sunday in May is to be used to show our love towards our mothers! To celebrate Mother's Day, families attended church, wrote letters, sent cards, and gave their mothers presents and flowers.

As Mother's Day became more popular, Anna felt that people were beginning to think that the only thing that mattered on Mother's Day was buying gifts. She felt that you should always make the effort to make your gift or card yourself.

Anna Jarvis passed away on November 24th, 1948 at the age of 84. The bells at Andrews Church were rung eighty-four times to remember her and what she had done for mothers all over the world. Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton is now a national historic landmark, and is known as The International Mother's Day Shrine.

Mother's Day is not only for moms. Mother's Day is a great day for your grandmother, your aunt, your teacher, or any other motherly figure in your life. Tell her that you are happy that she has been there for you and that you love her very, very much!

To celebrate Mother's Day nowadays, boys and girls make their moms a card, a craft, or pick flowers. You can also do a special activity with her. But the most important way to show your mom or mother figure, that you care, is to always shout in your happiest of voices: "Happy Mother's Day: I love you!"